Combination lock



June 5, 1928.

L. ROUANET COMBINATION LOCK Filed MaICh', 1927 i kthan the' l.portion 5 lis inside the hole'4 in the arm Patented June 5, 1928.

UNITED ,STA

LOUIS ROUANET, oEIvItY-ronr, FRANCE,

MECANIQUES, OF` IVRY-PORT,

AssIeNOR rIO GOMIAGNIE DfArPLICATIoNs FRANCE, A 'FRENCH COMPANY.

COMBINATION Loox.

Application led Mar-ch 3, 1927, Serial No. 172,492. and

The invention relate'sto lockingv devices including combination locks ot the typein which a rod like member is fitted with pins the outer ends of which are held in circular grooves provided in the inner surfaces i-o rings concentricl with the rod, each of the said rings being further provided with an internal longitudinal groove, ending in the circular groove, so as to enable an axial movement of the rod when all the longitudinal grooves have been brought in line opposite thepins, by rotating the rings to the proper relative positions. p

The invention has for its Objectv an improved arrangement of the combinationlock with the stationary parts vof thelocking device enabling same to be easily opened or replaced in the closed position.

Accordingly the invention consists in the arrangement of parts hereafter more fully described `with referencel tothe accompany- .ing drawingin which:

One embodiment of the invention is illus-y trated by way ofexample in 'the accompanying drawing, in which: f

Figl is a sectional view of a combination,`

locking device the rodV being in locked position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional `view similar to that 3 of Fig. 1, but with the rod in unlocked po-` sition. n

Fig. 3 is a partial ing device.y

Figs. 4 and'5 vplan view ofthe lockaceording to the invention.

The loclringfdevice in the example Illustratedhas been intended :torv cOnnecti-ngtoget-her two arms ori purpose a rod like member. 3 passes through the holes 4 in the said arms 1 and'2 and is provided with a portion of reduced diameter 5 and a tightened portion or collar so lo-y cated that when the rod3 is disengaged from the arm 1,`as in Fig; 2, duced diameter arm 2.` A disengagement slot 7 isV provided in thearm diameter 'ot. the portion 5, but smaller than the diameter of the,

versallythrough the slot 7, when'the reduced When the collar V6 isinside the said hole 1n the arm 2', sach' transversal movement is prefA f' f rod 13. The outer end of show respectively a section f and an elevation view of one of the rings y lugs 1 and 2.y For'this' the portion of4 re-` y 5 is Inside the hole l4 inthe 2 and has a width slightly .larger l,collar 6'.vr The rod 3 can therefore be removed transin France March 16, 1926.

vented, sincethe diameter of the collar 6 is greater than the width of the slot 7. The

longitudinal movement of the rod 3.is restricted by the pins 8 inserted into the said each of the said pins 8 projects into a circular groove 9 cut in the inside face concentric with the rod 3, being pressed between the head 11 on a sleeve 12 surrounding the rod 3 anda ring 13 screwed onto the end of the said sleeve 12. The head 11 and the ring 13 engage respectively in the slots 14 and 15 formed in the l arms 1 and2, the said slots enabling the saidv head 11 and ring 13 to be disengaged when the reduced portion in the arm 2. A longitudinal groove 16 formed in the sleeve 12' allows for the passage O the pins 8, while preventing any relativerotative movement'between the sleeve 12 and the rod 3. VVhenthe pins 8.are in the circular grooves 9, as in Fig. l, the rod 3 is engaged in the arm 1, kand the `collar 6 is inside the hole 4 in the arm 2.y Any longitudinal movement of the rod 3 is therefore impossible, the pins 8l engaged in the saidl grooves 9 opposing such movement,and any transversal movement of the saidrod is also impossible,jsince the rod engaged in the arm 1 and since the colla-r 6 is largerv than the width ofl the slot 7. The rod is therefore locked in this position. l. yEach of the rings 10 is provided on its inner .face with a longitudinal groove117 terminating in the circular groove 9. When the rings 10 are rotated so as to bring allthe grooves 17 into line with each other and with the pins 8, thehandle 18 mounted onthe end of the-rod 3 can be grasped and withdrawn toy theposition indicated in Fig.v 2, so that the pinsv are moved out of the grooves 9; that the right hand end pin abuts against of each of the rings 1()v f the said rings 10 y 5 isinside the hole 4 the ring'l;` that the end of the-rod 3 disengages the arm 1 and that the reduced portionv enters the hole 4 of the arm 2 opposite the slot 7 L At this moment' itis only necessary to grasp the entire locking device and to pull it sideways.v The reduced portion 5 of the rod 3 will then pass into the'slot 7 and the head 11 as well vas the ring 13 will slide into the' slots 14 and 15 in the arms 1 and 2. The rod 3 and the entire locking device will thus be disengaged from the arms V1and2.'

To enable the correct positions of the' rings lO'to be recognized so as yto plaee all the grooves 17 in line with each other,.eachv of saidiring iis-provided with an outer ring 19 bearing uponits external `face a number of letters, figures or any other characters,

and on its inner face a set of longitudinal grooves 2O corresponding in number to that of the charactens,eachofthe saidigrooves- 20 corresponding to one of the said characters. Each external Aring 119'=ean.lbe :po-

sitioned on its corresponding ring `1.01'by engaging'one of thegrooves 20 on :the key 2l'provided' oneach=ringf10. W lien the pins are in the position shown. inlFig. 2, 'the external rings '19 can be passedionto fthe ringslO' andjpositioned on .the latter so thatthe letters, figures, characters, 'between the marks 22 fforlned iny the `head 11 and -thering 13,'will 'form a word, 1a lnumber -or Aa combination known onlyv to the'owner of the locking device. `When fthe =rotl-3 iis pushed home, the left hand pin 8 abuts againstthehead 11 and all thepinsenter the circular 'grooves 9. By @rot-atingy the external rings i19 the inner rings `lOwfare lcorrespondingly yrotated by meansof .the

ffkeysf21, the Avv.ord,.'the number or the-.com- 'bination lis 'jumbled and `.the :grooves .17 f

assume indetermined'positions. 1When it1is rotate l'the external rings ,19: sov as* tocform` 'Any number `of externaland desired to idsengage the rod 3 frem lthe arms f1 andV 2I .and bringthezgroofves; 17 into line withf each other, vit is: only vnecessary .to

'again the chosen-word, numbenfor combination along the'linebetween=the1marks 22.v

19 :and: 191 respectively canY be used.

If all kthe parts of the l'ocltl were accurately made, k"Wh en thel devicel the'handle 18 in theyidirection-ofthefarrow 7 would cause all thejpins'Ssto come simuL tan-eously into `contactavith the .abutting :faces :23, 24,725, 26,:intthesuccessiveirings .10. However, whenu `sive articlesare manufacturedqnseries,1t

comparatively inexpenr .isf not. possible to. execute i them with perfect AaeeuracyV and iit'I generally happens that the fdistancesf between the pins 8 yarenot-identical f with theV distances between.y the` :abutting races 23, 24,.25,i26. -Asa result, When-the? fhandle 1'8 .is fpulled: in .the direetiouof .the 'arrowf, only oneof-.thepins i8 will at lirst short :For example,

comey to r a: bearing against. the corresponding abutting,faceithe vother pinsfremaining a distance -s away .from their vabutments. tif the third pin 8 ifromthe lef-t is the'thsty against itswabutt-ingtace 25', a certain the said-abuttingface25,

could be freely 4rotated vwithout any resistance. If the rings 19 and 10 corresponding inner xrings.

.is -loekedwa pull on.

...a simi-lar .principle However,

to Fthe yface 25 .are rotated, a vposition in which the ring 19 turns wit-hout offering any resistance, will be found by trial.` In this position, the pin'8i's` opposite At-lie^`long1- tudinal' groove l17. V"It ist-henonly necessary to-pullthe handle 18 in the direction of the arrow f, and the pin 8 corresponding to the 'abutting `lface ,-25 willgenter ythe groove 17, locking the external ring 19 and the ring `10', fandY 4another lipin- 8 will'rome to ai vstop :against its corresponding ,abutting face, for example, the first ;pin 'against :the abutting :rfacew2-3. By trial, rotating the first i ring. 4as fabovefexpla-ined for the thirdsring theiirst .1 pin-can be made to coincide Awiththe llongitudinal slot17fof the ifirst` lring 10,. and ithefz'rod `3 gwith .the 'pins .8 canagain be moved -untilfa third pin abutsvagainst its corresponding abut-ting face. ABy.. oper-ating Aim a: similar manner with lthe f remaining two free external rings, all the longitudinal slots will be `brought into .alinement with each otherrand since .a free passage'wvill ithus be provided- Ipossible to :withdraw the rod 3. It will therefore be seen that,.in .this ease, an. illintentioned merson can` lform the i combinationi by trial and `l-unlockff the device.-

:Inl vorder to avoid this, of vthe-abutting :'faces.23,..24, 25 andV ,2620i the rings 10 is provided-with.,alzcircular set ofy fnotchesf27 .-actinfgfA as. dummy-,grooves 17. These-notches 27.1are'fpreferablyof .the same cross section as thatqof'the groove 17.` If' @withffthei rings. 10=so "Inodied, attempts are .made to-.iunlocktthe device :as :above explained, the pin 8 rst coming into Contact with its abutting yface willencountergmany ,points..27-atwhich the resistance disappears,-l

and there will the pin'fenterra than the longitudinal' groove 17.. ,Everlas-v suming 4that onel of4 the!r pins beloroughtv into yone of the (longitudinal lgrooves, labnormal be many more chances-that luck would be .required .in order that all vthe pnsmghtrbebrought into the diiferent .longitudinal grooves.. It is only necessary that. one ofi-the pinsbein. one oithenotches .or` dummygrooves27 for .the device .to ref mainijlockedi .Theretorethe .provision of; the

set of notches.avoidpractically :all possibility .ofthe .device being unlocked. by unauthorized persons.

iI't .will .be evident. that the'. application. oi"v i the said-set of notches-is nottlimited to i the `single example illustrated,.` but canbe used onaany combination. loCkingLdevce basedl on l such .applil cations. enter within jthe-scope` of the iny mention. f

iIrclaim.: v

v ..1. A;lockingdevice'.comprising,in ,com

y bination, a. vstationary member, provided with t .a hole, astationary member y.provided ,with

a hole and' a reduced4 lateral:l slot, a rod lfor the l'pins 8, it .willbe disadvantage, each notch or` dummy groove 27 yist adapted to slide in the holes and provided with a reduced portion adapted to pass through the lateral slot of the second ment-ioned stationary member, a combination device associated with said rod and adapted to be inserted between the said stationary members, axial movement to the opened and closed position.

2. A locking device comprising in combination twov stationary members provided with corresponding holes, one of said members also having aflaterally opened slot, a removable sleeve fitting between the members, a rod inserted in said sleeve, said rod having a limited axial displacement and parts respectively adapted to slide in the holes, and to pass in the laterally opened slot, and means in the sleeve to retain the rod in the position of engagement and in the position of disengagement.

8. A locking device comprising in combination two stationary members provided with correspondingholes, oneof said members also having a laterally opened slot, a

rod slidable in the holes, a reduced portion and means on the rod to limit its.

' transversal pins in on the rod, a sleeve surrounding the rod in they space between the stationary members, transversal pins in the rod and rotatable rings on the sleeve, said pins and rings being 4combined so as to allow movementof the rod and means on the rod yto move same either in the position of engagement or in thek position of disengagev v ment.

4. A locking device comprising in combination two stationary members provided with corresponding holes, bers also having a laterally opened slot, a rod slidable in the holes, a reduced portion for a limited axial one of said memon the rod, a sleeve surrounding the rod in the stationary members, the rod and rotatable rings on the sleeve, an extension on the rod at the side of the laterally opened stationary member,the said pins and rings being combined so as to allow the reduced portion of the rod to move opposite the lateral slot when the rings are placed in predetermined relative positions. V

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LOUIS ROUANET.

the space between 

